Ex-Googlers shuttered successful startup, built AI company worth $100M
Ex-Googlers shuttered successful startup, built AI company worth $100M
Publish Date: 2025-12-21 03:00:00
Source Domain: www.cnbc.com
Here are six key points from the article on Dhruv Amin and Marcus Lowe, the co-founders and co-CEOs of Anything, a startup that pivoted around the capabilities of AI:
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Initial Success and Business Pivot:
Dhruv Amin and Marcus Lowe left Google to start a profitable venture that reached $2.2 million in monthly revenue by September 2023. Originally named Create, the startup connected freelancers to startup development projects and employed AI-assisted code tools. -
The “ChatGPT Moment”:
The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 introduced groundbreaking advancements in AI, compelling Amin and Lowe to contemplate the obsolescence of their business if AI advanced to the point of creating sophisticated code on par with human developers. -
Decision to Restart:
To adapt to the rapidly changing AI landscape, the founders chose to shut down their existing business, laying off half their team and restarting entirely around AI-driven solutions in October 2023. -
New Product Launch and Growth:
After launching an AI tool for building app components, they introduced a product for creating full online businesses in April 2025, which led to a two-week spike in annualized revenue to $2 million upon announcing the relaunch. -
Investor Reactions and Continued Commitment:
Despite the difficult decision to rebuild, both founders received support from their investors who acknowledged the merit in navigating the emerging AI field by taking bold steps when necessary. -
Future Prospects:
Amin remains committed to the vision of enabling non-technical users to build functional, commercial apps, envisioning significant future growth in the sophistication of products created through Anything’s platform.